Amgen displays new data for Aranesp anaemia drug

Amgen has released new details regarding its Aranesp treatment for anaemia following chemotherapy. Aranesp is a synthetic erythropoietin called darbepoetin alfa, which replaces a naturally-occurring hormone that regulates red blood cell production.

Following a phase III study involving 1,220 patients with anaemia following chemotherapy, Aranesp was compared with standard Epoetin alfa to make sure that Aranesp was not inferior. The results found that Aranesp had a similar clinical effectiveness as Epoetin alfa, but with the necessary dosage reduced from once a week to every two weeks.

John Glaspy of the David Geffen school of medicine at the University of California, said: “Results of this study, the largest, randomised head-to-head comparison of darbepoetin alfa dosed every two weeks to weekly Epoetin alfa, showed that fewer injections did not compromise efficacy with respect to decreased transfusion requirements.”

“From a clinician perspective, the comparability in patient reported outcomes, including energy levels and impact on daily activities, provide further evidence that we can extend dosing intervals and represents an important potential benefit for patients and their caregivers,” he added.

Anaemia is sometimes a symptom of cancer itself, as well as a side-effect of chemotherapy treatments. According to Janssen-Cilag, radiotherapy can temporarily reduce the numbers of red blood cells if the therapy is directed at the bone marrow, resulting in patient weakness. It says that more that 60 per cent of chemotherapy patients will develop anaemia as a side-effect.

Erythropoietin is also known as EPO and it is known as a doping substance in some athletes because it artificially stimulates the production of red blood cells, thereby increasing their capacity to carry oxygen to their muscles.

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